Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
~ Knox ~
It was insufferable sitting with the demon royals after our mates left the dining room. Our girl. How could they call her that? I wanted to cut out their tongues for even daring to suggest Shade was theirs, and it was fortunate Shade and Blake returned when they did an hour later.
I know I’m using my anger at the demon kings as a distraction.
If anything, I should be grateful they saved her, but I need somewhere to direct my fury.
My mate had almost died at the hands of the shadow queen for a second time, and until I can find a way to dispatch Krosia, all I can do is keep Shade close.
One day I will deal with Krosia. One day I will savor the sound of her screams as I make her endure unspeakable agony, before erasing her from this realm.
But until then, I’ll wait. I think of the shadow blade currently in the possession of the demon queen.
I need to get my hands on that dagger. With it, I could devise a plan to finally end Krosia.
Swallowing my rage, I down my drink, wishing the alcohol were stronger. Wishing it had more of an effect on me.
We’re back in our private quarters, and my friends and Shade are all positioned around the living room. I’m seated at the armchair closest to the window, and I’m deep in thought when Raith starts speaking.
“Queen Blake is right,” my brother says from where he relaxes on one of the couches. “Krosia might say Shade is safe here, but we all know that’s bullshit. Sooner or later Krosia’s goin’ to try and get rid of her.”
“You think she’d risk starting a war with the demons?” Shade asks, lifting her head from where she’s tucked against Thane.
Fuck. Despite the anger still coursing through me, just seeing her pressed against him has my pants tightening, and my mind struggles to focus.
My mate. Mine. My love. The one I’d thought I’d lost. I had still been trying to process this news when I’d nearly lost her again.
I think about when the shadow queen had me in her clutches.
Oh, how I had burned with the need to kill her.
I wonder if Krosia had felt it—that dark rage that had consumed me, and the bone-chilling promise I made to myself, that if she executed Shade I would stop at nothing to destroy her.
I doubt it. If Krosia had, she never would have agreed to let Shade live, even with the demon queen forcing her hand.
If she had felt it, she would have realized that the prophecy is right.
Because I will do anything to protect my mate.
Even if it means us losing this damn war.
“It’s likely that Krosia would make it seem like you died by another’s hand or by natural causes,” Galen theorizes, responding to Shade’s earlier question.
“I’m sure she’ll wait for some time to pass first, of course.
Perhaps, she might even wait to see if we can win this war with the aid of the demons, but as time goes by, she won’t be able to ignore that you’re a threat, and she’ll act. ”
“You’re givin’ Krosia too much credit,” Raith rumbles.
“She won’t wait that long. Not when we’ve spent centuries fightin’ this war.
At most, I’m guessin’ she’ll wait until the demons leave the academy.
She’s likely hoping your friend is bluffin’, and that if she kills you, the demons wouldn’t actually go to war over it. ”
Shade lets out a nervous laugh. “Then she doesn’t know Blake very well.”
That makes my lips twitch. I might not particularly like the demon queen, but anyone who’ll unleash their army to fight for my mate has my respect.
Shade snuggles back into Thane’s chest, burrowing her face into his shirt and relaxing.
My heart warms. I had dreamed of this, once.
In the days when I’d first found my mate, I’d dreamed of introducing her to Thane.
I’d fantasized about Thane and me worshipping our mate together. But now…it all feels too fragile.
Fear slides into my thoughts, because I can’t help wondering… How long will this last?
“I agree that Krosia won’t try anything while the demons are here,” Galen comments. “So for now, we can work on locating the oracle.”
“Don’t forget her training,” Thane adds. “We should focus on making Shade stronger.”
Our mate groans. “Can’t I just hide out now that I’m a prisoner?
No amount of training is going to help me against the power of the shadow queen.
” Despite her complaint, her cheeks are flushed, and her distracted gaze keeps straying to where Thane’s hand rests on her thigh.
The scent of her arousal fills the air, and I know I’m not the only one affected.
I’ve always been able to scent her, but since the graduation games it’s as though everything is heightened. It’s driving the rest of us mad.
“You need to train, sunshine,” Raith says, speaking like he’s the bearer of bad news. “Besides, it might not only be the shadow queen you need to fight.”
Shade presses her lips together and grumbles something under her breath, but she doesn’t protest again.
“You know, I still don’t understand why the oracle would just disappear,” she says instead.
“Wouldn’t he have wanted to see you all fighting the Xalgrith?
To make sure the prophecies are coming true? ”
Galen leans back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. “From what we could gather, the oracle is a solitary creature. I suppose after he helped us gain our immortality, he believed his job was done and he no longer wished to be disturbed.”
“Who fuckin’ knows,” Raith adds.
A beat of silence follows, and my rage starts simmering again.
“When the time comes, Krosia is mine,” I say, my voice like ice.
I’m all too ready to end the shadow queen, and my fingers twitch as I think about wrapping my shadows around her neck and watching the life drain from her eyes.
In a strange twist of fate, the queen may have saved Shade from Yevar’s clutches all those years ago, but as far as I see it, she’s tried to kill Shade twice now.
I think of the shadow blade again, and I let out a steadying breath.
The moment I get my hands on it, Krosia’s time will be up.
As always, Thane is the voice of reason.
“What about the other originals and all those loyal to the shadow queen?” he says.
“Killing Krosia won’t secure Shade’s safety.
Now that everyone knows she’s our fated mate, even without Krosia there are plenty of others who may still try to dispense of Shade because of the threat she poses. ”
“Then we’ll dispatch of them as well,” I snarl without hesitation. Because I would. I will do whatever it takes to keep my mate safe. I won’t lose her again.
“No,” Shade says, shaking her head. “I won’t let you kill countless warriors for me. Besides, what if they’re right? What if I am the one who’ll make us lose?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I reply quickly.
“It does,” she counters. “It matters to me. I don’t want to be the one that lets the Xalgrith snuff out the light.” Her beautiful brown eyes are wide and serious. “We need to find the oracle. We need to know for sure what the future holds. I need to know…”
Thane lifts his large hand, gently cradling our mate’s chin and making her look up at him. “If the oracle is out there, we’ll find him.”
Her chest relaxes a little. “And what about Professor Yevar?” she asks. “And all the abducted students?”
“We’ll do everything we can to find them, too,” Thane assures her. My friend doesn’t say anything about saving them. We all know they’re likely already dead. The Xalgrith don’t play around, and this will most likely be a recovery mission.
“But for now, we could all use some rest,” Thane growls, holding her gaze.
~ Shade ~
I should be terrified.
The entire time the guys are talking, I know I should be scared.
I should be stressing about the missing students, about a potential demon war, and about being trapped here and having my life in danger, but…
while I do feel all those things, I struggle to focus on them.
Pain builds in my stomach, and when Thane’s hand moves to my thigh it’s an effort to continue engaging in the conversation.
I need them.
All four of them, and every time I mentally tell myself that being with them all at once is impossible because we can’t risk bonding, the pain increases.
I want to crawl into a ball and bury myself in Thane’s chest. To never resurface and just hide there, but instead, I focus on breathing and on remembering how to speak through the pain.
Training? Ha! I’ve been foolishly thinking that by surviving the graduation games it meant I wouldn’t have to train anymore.
I’m powerful now…aren’t I? And yet, I’ll be lucky if I survive the night…
Okay, so I know I’m being dramatic, but the pain has reached my ribs now, and I’m starting to wonder if I might be dying.
This pain isn’t like the throbbing ache I used to get in my head when I was cursed.
No, this is something different. Did I eat something bad?
I recall what I ate for dinner, but I know the pain isn’t from the cake.
Hold on, when is the last time I ate a vegetable?
I shake the thought away. No, it’s not that.
I think of when I’d last been with Raith and Galen, and my throat goes dry.
I’d told myself I was wrong. That the pain was nothing.
That it couldn’t at all be related to my mates, but a surge of agony hits me, and I can’t stop the whimper that slips out.
Instantly, all four of my mates go still.
Thane runs his probing fingers along my body. “What’s wrong, mate?”
Even with the pain, desire courses through me as I stare into his rich brown eyes. I don’t want to worry them, but more pain shoots through me, the aching sensation spreading to my chest.
I press a hand over my heart. “I’m dying,” I say dramatically, flopping against him.
My mates blink at me.
And then Raith starts belly laughing.
Unbelievable.
It’s not until another whimper falls out of me that Raith’s laughter abruptly stops, and the tension in the room rises. All of my mates shoot to their feet, except Thane who remains seated as he holds me.
“What’s going on?” Thane asks as his brows lower with concern.
“Okay, so I don’t think I’m dying, or at least I hope not, but…” I pause as the realization of what this reminds me of hits me, knocking the air out of my lungs. Pain that only goes away after doing the deed. Hot sweats… I mentally check off the symptoms in my head.
“But?” Galen prompts.
My mates are closer now, all crowded around me, and the intoxicating scent of them makes the pain worse. Oh crap. It is what I think it is, isn’t it? The searing pain comes in waves, pulsing through my whole body, and I let out a shuddering breath.
“It’s a stupid theory,” I mumble.
Galen crouches down and takes one of my hands in his. “Nothing you say is ever stupid, little shadow. Now, tell us what is causing you such misery.”
Fire and ice run along my skin from where he touches me, and I try not to wince as the pain increases. “I think…” My mates smell too good, and desire almost has me panting. Or is it the pain that’s causing that? “I think…” I say again before trailing off. I can’t be right. Can I? No…
“Mate,” Thane growls impatiently.
Closing my eyes, I bite my lip. “I think I might be in heat!” I say in a rush.
The room goes silent, and I crack my eyes open, watching as my words sink in and their expressions change.
Knox’s eyes darken, Thane stares at me with worry, an amused smile curves Galen’s beautiful lips, and a low growl starts deep in Raith’s throat.
That sound only makes my pain worse, the agony mixing with my desire and making me hunch over as my stomach cramps.
“I’m sorry, did you say in heat?” Galen asks, bewilderment mixing with his amusement.
“It’s either that or I really am dying,” I chirp back. “But I’ve felt something similar before, when I was with you and Raith’s monster.” I struggle to breathe. “It wasn’t as bad, but the pain was definitely there, and it went away after I…”
“After my monster bred you,” Raith finishes for me, his voice a guttural rasp. Fangs peek from his lips, like his monster is enjoying this, and he wants to remind me that he’s there.
Heat rushes through me, and claws start to peek from Raith’s fingers.
Oh sweet and holy smut gods.
“Not now,” Thane rumbles at Raith’s monster, and Raith shakes his head, gaining control again.
“I wasn’t aware humans went into heat,” Galen muses, his glittering gaze traveling over me like he’s looking for answers.
“They don’t normally,” I reply. “And I know it sounds silly, but it makes sense. I mean, I have an unbearable pain that goes away when we uh…you know. And I’m so hot.
” I swipe away the sweat that’s beading on my forehead.
“I don’t have some of the other signs yet, but that has to be it, right?
” I rack my brain, thinking of some of my favorite omegaverse books.
I mean, it’s not like I’ve been nesting, so there’s that.
But at the thought of a nice, cozy area to curl up in, I whimper again.
Actually, a nest is exactly what I need. Soft, plush pillows… Fluffy blankets…
I’m expecting the guys to laugh, but I’m surprised when Galen replies, “I must admit, since the games the urge to bond with you has been harder to resist.”
Thane frowns. “You think it’s because the curse has been removed?”
“Well, thank fuck. And here I thought it was my monster messin’ with my head,” Raith adds.
“No, I feel it too,” Thane confirms.
Our attention goes to Knox, and his predatory gaze lands on me. “If we could bond, I would do it in a heartbeat,” he says simply.
A breath rushes out of me. “Wait. Now, I’m confused. So I’m not in heat, but you think it’s the fated mates connection doing this? But Blake never mentioned having any pain when she had, uh, similar issues.”
“It isn’t a usual symptom, no,” Galen drawls, running his hand along my arm. A trail of sparks follows his touch and I gasp, breathing heavily as another wave of pain hits. Crying out, I fist Thane’s shirt until the pain dulls again.
“Whatever is causing it, we can’t leave you like this,” Thane growls. “Did you say it went away for a while after you were with Galen and Raith?” He searches my face.
It feels like it takes considerable effort just for me to lift my head. “Yes,” I rasp.
Thane nods, and he slides his hands around me, lifting me as he climbs to his feet. “Then we shall take care of you, mate.” His gaze goes to Knox. “Both of us.”